Riding-spur.



No. 877,886. PATENTED JAN. 28, 1908. D. W. GROWDBR.

RIDING SPUR'.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1, 1907.

j flaw W 002K461:

WITNESSES: [NI/EN Tole.

a g 1 r I, ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL W. OROWDER, OF HILLHAM, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO DAVID G. MORGAN, OF HILLHAM, INDIANA.

RIDING-SPUR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 28, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL W. CRowDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hillham, in the county of Dubois and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Riding-Spur, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in riding spurs, and has for its object to provide an improved device of this character that is capable of accommodating itself to the size and shape of the boot heel to which it is applied, and having means for firmly securing it in place in order to prevent its accidental displacement or loss, and, furthermore, to provide an improved mounting for the spur, whereby the latter may be adjusted to the proper angle to engage the flanks of the horse most effectively.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in certain improvements and combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out particularly in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a riding spur constructed in accordance with my present invention. Fig. 2 represents an axial section through the mounting for the spur.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are indicated throughout by similar characters of reference.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the spur embodies an attaching portion ada ted to fit at the sides and rear of a boot beef: and in the present instance the attaching portion is composed of a rear segmental section 1 adapted to conform approximately to the curvature of the rear of the heel of an average boot, and this section is provided on its opposite ends with pairs of hinge lugs 2 adapted to cooperate with the hinge lugs 3 at the rear ends of the side members 1 and 5, the latter being curved to conform substantially to the shape of the sides of an ordinary boot heel, the relative pivotal movement of the side sections about the ends of the intermediate or rear section enabling the attaching portion to accommodate boot heels of different widths.

Any suitable means may be employed for drawing and securing the side or clamping sections into cooperative relation with the sides of the boot heel, the forward or free ends of the relatively adjustable sections being provided, in the present instance, with upper and lower slots 6 and 7 extending transversely through the respective sections and forming a cross piece 8 between the slots to receive a looped strap 9, the latter connecting the free ends of the side sections and having a buckle 10 cooperating with a series of openings in the cooperating end of the strap whereby the side sections may be drawn firmly into engagement with the sides of the boot heel, the strap lying directly in front of the heel and cooperating therewith to prevent disengagement of the spur in a direction rearwardly. Those portions of the strap engaging the side members are protected from injury, such as by gravel, stones, etc., in walking, by the solid portions of the side sections which surround the inner cross iece 8.

The usual spur wheel is pre erably employed, as it contains a plurality of projections that are not so liable to become broken or dulled, and the spur wheel is so mounted in the present instance that it may be adjusted angularly relatively to the flanks of the horse, in order that it may engage therewith most elfectively, and this spur wheel is carried by the rear or intermediate section 1, it being journaled on an axis 11 carried by a yoke 12, and the latter is secured to the intermediate section by any suitable means, such as a screw 13 extending through a boss 14 on the intermediate section and threaded at its rear end into the yoke 12, the forward end of the screw being accessible from the forward or inner side of the intermediate section. This screw may be tightened after the spur wheel has been adjusted about the screw as an axis, in order that it may rotate in a given plane relatively to the intermediate portion, or, if so desired, it may be left loose and thus provide an axis on which the yoke 12 carrying the spur wheel may rotate freely, and in this case-the spur wheel will be presented to the flanks of the horse at varying angles. A permanent or fixed connection could, of course, be employed between the yoke or spur wheel and the intermediate section, but it is preferable to employ means that will permit the relative angular adjustment of the spur wheel and also permit its removal for resharpening or replacing.

A riding spur constructed in accordance with the present invention is capable of accommodating heels of dilferent shapes and sizes and is so constructed that it will obtain a firm and positive hold that will prevent its displacement or loss, and it also provides an improved mounting for the spur wheel that will enable the latter to engage the flanks of the horse at the most eflective angle.

-What is claimed is 1. A riding spur embodying an intermediate section curved to fit the rear of a boot heel and having hinge members on its opposite ends arranged at points substantially in line with the sides of the boot heel, a spur carried by the intermediate section, a pair of cooperating side sections having hinge members at their rear ends cooperating with those at the opposite ends of the intermediate section, and an adjustable device connecting the free ends of the side sections for adjusting the latter against the sides of the boot heel.

2. A riding spur embodying an interme- 1 diate section of a length sufficient to extend laterally to opposite sides of a boot heel and carrying a suitable spur, side sections pivotally attached to the ends of the intermediate section and each having a pair of par allel slots extending transversely therethrough forming a cross piece between them, and a securing strap extending through said slots and cooperating with the cross pieces of the respective side members for drawing the latter into cooperative relation with a boot heel.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

l ANlEL W. OROWDER.

Vvitnesses:

WILLIAM S. HAYS, RoMIn MORGAN. 

